Luggage lock



30, 1945. F. K. HEYER 2,388,237

LUGGAGE LOCK Filed July 7, 1945 A 4,1 ff- A b1 f// III" INVENTOR Eff/jef ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 30, 1945 I l.

LUGGAGE LOCK Frederic K. Hoyer, Stamford, Conn., 'assignor to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation ofConnccticut` Application` July .7', 1943, Serial. No. 493,711 201 Claims. (Cl. 'l0-350) `Thisinvention relatestoralock, and more par# ticularly to a 1ockadaptedf'or use on luggage.

Qne feature ofi my. loc-k `resides" in `the novel arrangementA of alocking. and mounting member whereby to` yield a very desirable form of locking structure, land a; locking structure ofv particular utility in luggage. Asafurther feature of this part of my invention, my novel arrangement of alocking member and mounting member yields a lock or extremely pleasing form.` and of. special l.'

utility in that it ,mayV berv assembled to luggage without protrudingi greatly from the surface of the luggage. f

A further feature Vof my invention` residesin the arrangement of the locking mechanism per se of my lock. this; locking mechanism preferably taking' the form. of4 tumblersf. A feature` of the invention resides in` the arrangement of the parts whereby the tumblersmay be operated by the flat portion offa key blade.ygiositioned in a special' form of keyway. `It is this feature .ofcmy invention that contributes the compact and.' highly desirable arrangement oi the parts.

Asv a still further feature of my invention I utilize a novel arrangementof. tumblers, and novelf means for projecting the tumblersg and limiting theirrprojectiorn. The` tumblerls andl the drivers preferably employed` therewith; are adapted-when set withv their parting lineszinA a proper plane, to allow for a rotation ofthelock-ing member controlledby the'tunrblerslto an:l unlocking position.` It is a further feature; of this partof my invention that the keymay baremoyed. in the unlocking positionA of theilockingimember, a: camming opening beingprovided for. theimovemen of: the looking. tumbler-s -asl the key: is withdrawn. As. stillY a further featurefof thisipartzof: my invention., as the locking tumblers, move into; theA camming opening, at least one of the drivers moves intoa detent opening inthe, locking member toretain theylocking; member yieldingly.` in. its unlocking; position. 'Ivhe cammingopening. ase, further fea ture. ofthe invention; ist arranged? to cam they tumblers toward`s;.t.he keywag uponrotation of." the locking -mjemberI soy as: to' allow the locking member torotate back to locking position, and into position to l allow the turnblers` andi drivers to interlock, as will, be,` understood by' those skilledf inthe art.

In describingmyinvention,` L preferv to describer it. as embodying pini turnblers,` but those ski-lied., in the art. will appreciate thatother types of turn-1 -blers may readily. be utilized and., adapted., and that it is rnot essentialto. certain parts of my ini vention that tumblers and drivers be employed.

I havetlius` described'1 generally theA more important feature of my invention in` orderthat my contribution tothe art may belbetter understood and in order that the relationI otmy contribution tothe prior art maybe better'=comprehended; 1 dobelieve that myinventionis broadand valuable and should not belimite'd 'to' the structurall details; that I have designed andhere set forth. Also,

while I have described generally several important' features of my invention, there'are other important featuresthat'willfbe described particularlyin the speciicationand will be claimed-in the claimsappendedhereto. f

Referring now to thedrawing Fig. l: is a perspective view showing `the lock of myinventi'on appliedto a suitcase, and with the key about to enter the keywayoff theflock.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section along lines 2--2' of Fig; 1 showing the lockingftumblers in locking' position and` maintaining `the locking member against rotation. Y, l

Fig; 3 is a viewexactly like Fig. .2 but illustrate ing the .tumblers and locking drivers in release position.

Fig. 4`is a view taken at 9`0fdegrees `from the sectionsV of Figs. 2 and 32 showing the locking mem` ber rotated into unlocking position,v and thekey still within' the keyway of the locking member.

Fig. 5" is ,a section taken along lines 5.-'5 o- Fig. 4. ,y

Fig. 6` is a sectionv takengalong lines i-'e6 of Fig.2. y l

Fig. 7 isa perspective view of the locking discv member when. examined from its underside.4

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the entire lock assembly shown considerably larger than, in Fig; 1. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the key-.employed in mylock.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and first more especially to Fig. 1,1show a suitcase l0 formed with a lid lfl` adapted to be locked inthe position of Fig. l. The locking mechanism of my invention is designated generally by reference numeral I2- and comprises a locking disc member I3 and a base or mounting` member I4. The locking mechanism also utilizes a strike l5 that is secured tothelid I as through barbs I6, and it is through the said strike that the lid'V Il islocked, aswill be described presently. The means for securingthe base member l4to the suitcase are not shown because `they may be of any. conventional form well known lin the art, and' because'they: dol not per se form part of' my invention.4

55 ,'-Theflockng disc. t3 forme-d with a locking at 2l, the central lug 20 forming the bearing for the locking disc I3 relatively to the base member I4, as shown in the drawing.

A screw stud 22 is threaded into the threaded Vopening 2I of the stud 2l) to hold the locking disc formed .with a central lug 20 internally ,threaded I 3 assembled to the base member I 4, and awasher 23.on stud 22 serves Obviously any other as an anti-friction member. suitable means for rotatably mounting the locking disc I3 on thebase member I4 may be utilized. A limit member 24 may be riveted to the base member I 4 asbest seen in Figs. 3 and 6, the ends of this limit stop coacting with the ends I Ia of the locking lug VI1 as is quite apparent from the drawings and in that way limiting the rotation of the locking disc I3 on the base member I4.

In the particular form of lock shown, the locking disc I3 is formed with four bores 30 with which are aligned four bores 3| formed in the base member I4. Tumblers 32 and drivers 33 slide in the aligned bores 30 and 3|, and are pressed upwardly in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 by leaf springs 34 secured as by stakingV at 35 in slots 36 in'the base member, there being a slot 36 in communi# cation with each of the bores 3|V in which the drivers 33 are mounted. 'I'he upper ends of the tumblers 32 are adapted for cooperation with a key, and for this purpose the tumblers are projected into a key slot 37 formed in the locking disc I3. For simplicity of manufacture the key slot is formed by securing to the locking dise I3 a plate 38, the keyway 31 being dened by inner surface 38a of the plate 38, and an upper surface of the locking disc I3. The bores 30 iny which the tumblers 32 slide extend into the keyway 31,' so that the ends of the tumblers 32 are projected by springs 34 against surface 38a of thev plate 38, the said Ysurface 38a acting as a limit stop for the tumblers. f n 1 1 When the key 45 is inserted, its end surface 4I acts to depress the tumblers anddrivers against the pressure of the several springs 34 until the l key is fully inserted, and with its depressions 42 in alignment with the several tumblers 33. Ii the proper key is utilized, the tumblers and drivers will now assume the position of Fig. 3 with-their parting line coinciding with the parting line between the locking disc I3 and the base member I4. It will now be possible to rotate the locking disc I3 relatively to the base member I4 into the position of Fig. 4. This action, of course, eiTects the movement of the locking lug I1 of the locking disc I3 away from locking engagement with the lip I8 of strike I5. The -lid II may then move with the strike I relatively to the body of the suitcase I4. This movement of the strike relatively to-the locking mechanism is well illustrated in Fig. 4. Y

The locking disc I3 is formed with what I call a detent slot 45, and when the locking disc is rotated to the position of Fig. 4 from the position of Fig. 3, the several drivers 33 will enter the detent slot 45 and thereafter yieldingly hold the looking disc I3 in its position of Fig. 4. The

particular action of the drivers 33 is well illustrated in Fig. 5, and in Fig.- 7 the shallow form of the detent slot 45 is also quite apparent.,

Whenever it is desired to lock the strike I5 once again, it is quite easy to overcome the holding action of the drivers 33 and detent slot 45 and to rotate the disc I3 into locking position.

It is highly desirable that it be possible to withdraw the key 45 from the locking mechanism when the parts are in their unlocked position of Fig. 4. For the particular purpose the base member I4 is formed with a camming slot or opening 46 well illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. As is quite apparent, this camming slot or opening 46 is in alignment with the several pin tumblers 32 when the locking disc I3 has been moved to unlocking position; The depth of the camming slot 46 is such that when the key 40 is moved outwardly of the key slot 3'! the tumblers 32 may move into the camming slot 46 and outside the depressions 42 of the key, thereby allowing the key to be removed quite readily from the keyway. If, when the key is removed, it is desired to relock the mechanism, itis only necessary to move the strike I5 back to the position of Fig. 3 and rotate the locking disc I3. The locking disc I3 will rotaie readily after the resistance of the drivers 33 and detent slot 45 is overcome, since the shape of the camming slot 46 is such as to cam the tumblers 32 upwardly and entirely within the bores 33 of the locking disc I3. As soon as the locking disc I 3 returns to its position of Fig. 2, the drivers 33 will be propelled by their springs 34 into locking relation to the tumblers 32 and locking disc I3. The tumblers 32 will then again-be pressed against the surface 38a of the plate 38 and available for key operation by key 40 as illustrated in Fig. 3.

While I have shown my invention as applied to a suitcase, and with the strike secured to the lid of a suitcase, other applications of my invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. As an example, the strike I5 `may be made as part of a slide fastener pull, or the flap of a brief case, etc., and locked in the same manner as herein set forth.

I believe that the construction and operation of my invention will now be quite apparent.

I now claim:

1. In a lock of the class described, a base member, a locking member rotatably mounted relatively to said base member, tumblers for eiecting the locking of said locking member against rotation relatively to said base member, portions of said tumblersventering'through bores of said lccking member into a keyway extending longitudinally across said locking member at right angles to its axis of rotation on said base member, and springs pressing said tumblers against the side of the keyway opposite that side of the keyway through which the tumblers project into said keyway.

2. In a lock of the classr described, a base member, a locking member mounted on said y base member for rotation on a fixed axis relatively to said base member, tumblers positioned at each side of said axis on a line passing diametrically through said axis and perpendicularly thereto and eecting the locking of said locking member against rotation on said base member, portions of said tumblers extending into a keywayformed diametrically across said locking member perpendicularly to its axis of rotation on said base member, and leaf springs secured tosaid base member for pressing said tumblers against the side of the keyway opposite that side of the keyway through which the tumblers project into said keyway.

mesma 3'Y In: aalocbtorjtheiclassdescribedrarbase member; as discslikelncleingznmber, aa shaft mountmg sazidi disc-like. loch-ingmem-ber:for:rotatirzmJ on: said baseomemberon: am aiiis` positioned centrally and perpendicularly relatively to l said-.disc-like 1o cking member,l tumblersfforl effecting the lockingmf said looking member against rotation on` said;v base member,V and; portions. of said tumblers; extending into a keyway formed: diametricallyv acrossf said lockinglmember at right; a-ngleszto-= its axis of-,1rotae tionionsaidbasezmember; t t

4t In a lock of the; class: described, a-base memben, a' disc-lilee lockingir member,y a shaft mounting said disc-like locking; member for rotation relatively to saidi base. member. on ani axis positimfxed;centrallyv and perpendicularly relatively to said discflike. locking member, tumblersV for' eifeeting the locking oi saiddiscflikelockng member to saidba-se memben. said tum'blers; beingpositionedat-each side of said, central axis on a line diametrie orIV said` disc and. passingv through said axisratfright angles thereto,l and portions et4 said tumblers extending into akeyway formed' diametrically acrossrsaidrlocking member atfright angles tor itsA axis of. rotation relatively to. said base member` 5.; In ai loekof they class described,a base mem-i ber, a dise-likelocking. member, 'ashaft mounting said disc-like lockingv member for rotation re1- atively tosaid basemember on anaxis positioned centrally and.` perpendicularlyrelatively tosaid dise-likelocking member, a series ot turnblersA and driversmovable parallel to; said. axisand normally spring pressed to interlock. said disc-like locking member and; base: memben, and portionsv of` said tumblers extending.' into; a` keyway `extending longitudinally acrosssaidlocking member atrieht angles `to its axis of rotationrelatively to saidJ base member. l

6.: In a lock of, theelass described, arbase mem ber, a disc-likelocking member,4 means mounting said disc-like locking member. for rotation on said base, member on an. axis positioned centrally and perpendicularly relatively to said disc-like locking member, ,a series of: tumblersand driverslmounted in.` bores; formed insadllocking member and base member parallel-to the-saidaxis of rotation, the parting line of said tumblersand-drivers corresponding to theparting line betweenr said. disc and base member when set to release said; disc-like locking member for rotatiom said4 tumblers pro-` jecting into a key-Way extending perpendicularly to the tumblers and formed-` for a flat key., to be positioned so. that one of the. ilatsidesrof thefkey setssaidtumblers, and spring Ymeans.V pressing said tumblers towards the side of the key-Way: op-

posite tha-t. side of the keyway through. which? the tumblers project into saidkeyway` and..y against-,the saidat side ofthe y u t '1..In;a lock of the class desoribeda base mem.- ber, a disc-like locking member meansfmounti-ng said disc-like locking member for rotation relaf tively tosaidA base member on an axis positioned centrallyv and perpendicularly relatively to.y said disc-like locking member, a series of tumblers for locking said disc looking= member against rotation relatively to said base membensaid tumblers projecting through bores of said dise-like locking member intoakeyvvay of substantially rectangular crossi section through one surfaceV thereof;

spring means for projecting saiditumblers yield-` inglytoward the surface of? said keyway opposite thesurface through Whiehtheisaid'tumblers pro- :lent` intozfsaid keyway, the; said surfaces, forming the wide surfaces of the keyway and definingA with 'r opposed endi` narrow. surfaces: azkeywayf for a. dat key; oneeoi the; flat sides. or wliichrather than theledge. issa'dapted `foxvsetting .the.tumbiers-. l .t t Imaaloek or theclasszdescriherh abase-mem.- ben adockingf member-rotatably mounted on. said base tumblers: foreftectingi the-locking of said." locking: member" against` rotation on said base member,l and'. portions; or; said tumblersiexs tending. through bores of: said locking` member into? ai. keyvvay` formed` diametrically acrossE sai'd locking. member at'` right angles touts: axissof. rota"- tion on said base member; sazidlkeyway hai/ing narrow end'. surfaces; and wide? upper `audi lower dieisfringl surfaces perpendicularl to'. the axi'sf of ro tationl of said locking: member' andI l through the lowerronefof which saidltumblerslproject;whereby a; fiat' key` inserted' into; said keywayl vvilhhaazer` its flat sidezcontactedlbysaid tumbler; r l al. In alockbf; thebclass describe abasenmem bem alockilngr member rotatablyA mount'edon said basesmember, tumblersfor effecting the-locking ofi saidr locking member' against. rotation onsarid basei member; and portions of;v saidl tumblers: extending through: bores' of saidy lockingr^ member into al key-Way `formed diametrically- 'said locking: member at' right `angles to its of rotation. on said; base member;said` key-Way having narrow end surfaces' and? wide upper `and'` lower definingl surfaces perpendicular'to the. axis-of rotation. ofsaid locking member and throughthe lower. one,` 01'V whichs said tumblers` project,` and springs. pressing: said: tumblers` againstiheiupper oisaidsurfaees. v. l

``10.A In a. lock of the class described, a@ base member, a disc-like locking member; means mounting. said: disc-like-locking member for rotation on said;` base member on an axis? positioned centrally and perpendicularly relatively.` toii said disc-like` looking member; tumblers for 'effecting the-lookineY of. said locking member againstrotaL tion on said." base member, andi portionsL of' said tumblers". extendingA through bores of sai'd'vdiseelile loeki'ngt member. into; a: keyvvayformed"E diametri# callyacrossisaidlockingimemberat rightlangles to its, axis:otrotationonasaidbase member, saidlrey-1 Way having: narrow en'd,` surfaces and Wideupper.

lower defriingi surfaces perpendicular to the axisuof rotation of saidz locking memberfand throughl the lower' one off' which saidr tumblers project,-` towardA the. flat Vside oit a key inserted?- in said keywam Y lil.L In alock ofrtheclass described; a base member;4 a:disc-likeloeking`member, means mountingsaid disc-likelocking member forrotation on sai'd base; member: on: an axisi positioned centrally* and' perpendicularly relatively to saidldisc-like'locking1 member; tumblersl foreffectingf the locking offsaid locking member against rotation on sai'di base member, portions of said tumblers extending"v through bores-e formed in said disc-like 'lockiiig member finto: a; keyway` formed `diametricall'yacross said locking: memberat right angles' tb' its axis of"` rotation on saidbase member; said key'way having-4 narrow` end surfacesu and; wide upperr and` lowery defining surfaces' perpendicular to the axis of? rota-tionl of.v said locking: member and throughI thelower oneiof which saidi tumblersr project, andl springs pressing said tumblers` against'the upper ofsaidfvvidedenngisurfacest f 12; Ina lock of the;class1 described, a-"base formed diametricallyacross said locking member atright angles to its axis of rotation relatively to said base member, the proper positioning of said tumblersby a key in said keyway releasing said locking member for rotation relatively to said base member, and a camming opening in said base l member into which said tumblers are projected as saidkey is withdrawn from the keyway after predetermined relative rotation of said members, the said camming opening camming the tumblers in-V wardly of said keyway to permit relative rotation of said members to locking position,

g 13. In a lock. of the class described, a base member, a disc-like locking member, means mounting said disc-like locking member for rotation on said base member on an axis positioned centrally and perpendicularly relatively to said disc-like locking member, a series of tumblers and drivers mounted in bores formed in said locking member and base member parallel to the said axis of rotation, the parting line of said tumblers and drivers corresponding to the parting line between saiddisc and base member when set to release said disc-like locking member for rotation, said tumblers projecting into a, keyway extending perpendicularly to the tumblers for positioning by a key inserted into said keyway, said base member having acamming opening into which said tumblers may be moved as the key is withdrawn from said keyway after predetermined rotation of said locking member `relatively to said base member,

the said camming opening camming the tumblers i inwardly of said keyway to permit rotation of said locking member to locking position to realign said tumblers and said drivers.

. .14. In a lock of the class described, a base member, a disc-like locking member, means mounting said disclike locking member for rotationon said base member on an axispositioned centrally'and perpendicularly relatively to said disc-'like locking member, a series of tumblers and drivers mounted in bores formed in said locking member and base member parallel to the said laxis of rotation, the parting vline-'of said tumblers and drivers' corresponding to the parting line between said discv and base member when set to release saiddisc-like locking member for rotation, spring means projecting said tumblers into a keyway in said disc-like locking memberforr positioning by a key against the force of said spring means, said base member having a camming opening into which said tumblers may be moved as the key is withdrawn from said keyway after predeter-Y mined rotation of said locking member relatively to said base member, the said camming opening camming the tumblers inwardly ofY said keyway to permit rotation of said locking member to locking position to realign said tumblers and drivers. 1

15. In a lock of the class described, a base member, a disc-like locking member, means mounting said disc-like locking member for rotation on 'said base member on an axis positioned centrally and perpendicularly relatively to said disc-like locking member, a series of tumblers and drivers mounted in bores formed in said locking member and base member parallel to the said axis of rotation, the parting line of said tumblers and drivers corresponding to vthe parting line between said disc and rbase member when set to release said disc-like locking member for rotation-spring means projecting said tumblers into a. keyway in said disc-like locking member for positioning by a key against the force of said spring means, said base member having a camming opening into which 'saidetumblersmay'be `moved as the key is. withdrawn'from s'aid keyway after predetermined'rotationof said lockingV member relatively to said base member, the said camming opening camming the `tumblers inwardly of said keyway .to permit rotation of said locking member to locking position torrealign said tumblers and said drivers, at least-one of the drivers projecting similarly into a detent opening in the said disc-like locking member upon rotation of said locking member into the position in which its tumblers may enterk said camming opening, in which position said driver will yieldingly hold said disc-like lockingA member.

16. In a lockof the class described, a base member, a disc-likelockingY member, means mounting said disc-like locking member for rotation on said base member on an axis positioned centrally and perpendicularly relatively to said disc-like locking member, a seriesfof tumblers and drivers mounted in bores formed in said locking member and base member parallel to the said axis of rotation, the parting line of said tumblers and drivers corresponding to the parting line'between said disc and base member when set to release said disc-like locking member for rotation, saidtumblers projecting into a keyway extending perpendicularly to the tumblers and formed for a flat key, one of the flat sidesof which is adapted for the positioning of said tumblers, and spring means pressing said tumblers against the side of the keyway opposite that sidethrough which they project into said keyway, said base member having a camming opening into which said tumblers may be moved as the key is withdrawn from said keyway after predeterminedrotation-of said locking member relatively to said base member, the said camming opening camming the tumblers inwardly ofsaid keyway to permit Arotation of said locking member to locking position to re-V align said tumblers and said drivers.

17. In a lock of the class described, a base member, a disc-like locking member, means mounting said disc-like locking member `f or rotation on said base member on an axis positioned'cen'trally and perpendicularly relatively to said disc-like 'locking member, a series lof tumblers and drivers mounted in bores formedfinsaid locking member and base member parallel to the said axis of ro-v tation, the partingwlinle 'of said tumblers and drivers corresponding tothe parting line vbetween said disc and saidbase member whenset to release said disc-like locking member for rotation, `said tumblers projecting into a keyway extending perpendicularly to the tumblersV and formed for a at key, lone of the nat sides of which is drawnfrom said keyway Vafter predetermined rotation ofV said locking memberv'e'latively to said base member, the said camming opening camming the tumblers inwardly of`saidkeywayto permit rotation of said locking member back tol locking position to realign said tumblers andsaid driversat least one of the drivers projecting similarly into a detent opening in thesaid disc-like locking member upon rotation of said lockingmember into the position in which its tumblers may' enter said camming opening, in which position said driver will yieldingly hold said'disc-like locking member.. f.

18. In a lock of the class described, a disc-like base member, a disc-like locking member, means mounting said disc-like locking member for disc to disc rotation on said base member on an axis positioned centrally and perpendcularly to the disc-like locking member, a series of drivers and tumblers mounted in aligned bores of said base and locking members formed parallel to the axis of rotation of said locking member on said base member and in communication with `a keyway, springs on said base member pressing the drivers and tumblers so as to maintain the key contacting ends of the tumblers against the surface of said keyway opposite the surface through which said bores communicate with said keyway, said tumblers being adapted for positioning by depressions formed in one of the flatsurfaces of a, flat key in said keyway to release said disc-like locking member and its tumblers for rotation relatively to the base member and its drivers, said base member having a camming opening into which said tumblers may be moved as the key is withdrawn from said keyway after predetermined rotation of said locking member relatively to said base member, the said camming opening camming the tumblers inwardly of said keyway to permit rotation of said locking member to locking position to realign said tumblers and said drivers.

19. In a lock of the class described, a disc-like 30 base member, a disc-like locking member, a shaft mounting said disc-like locking member for disc to disc rotation on said base member on an axis positioned centrally and perpendicularly to the disc-like locking member, tumblers for effecting the locking of said locking member against rotation on said base member, and portions of said tumblers extending into a keyway extending 1ongitudinally across said locking member at right angles to its axis of rotation on said base -member, said keyway having narrow ends and wide upper and lower surfaces for housing a at key vwith the flat of the key in said keyway contacted by the ends of the tumblers extending into said keyway. l

20. In a lock of the class described, a disc-like base member, a disc-like locking member, means mounting said disc-like locking member ,for disc to disc rotation on said base member on an axis positioned centrally and perpendicularly to the disc-like locking member, tumblers for effecting the locking of said locking member against rotation on said base member, and portions of said tumblers extending into a keyway extending longitudinally across said locking member at right angles to its axis of rotation on said base member, said keyway having narrow ends and wide upper and lower surfaces for housing a nat key with the flat of the key in said keyway contacted by the ends of the tumblers extendinginto said keyway.

FREDERIC K. HEYER. 

